FDA introduces breast density reports following mammograms

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is now requiring patients who undergo mammograms to receive breast density assessments alongside their mammography results.

Dense breasts are a known risk factor for developing breast cancer and can make it challenging to detect breast cancer on a mammogram, according to a news report from CNN. Patients with more fibroglandular tissue relative to fatty tissue are classified as having denser breasts — which is characteristic of about 50% of women older than 40 years.

Experts cited in the article suggested that patients with dense breasts may benefit from undergoing other types of screenings, including magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasounds to detect breast cancer.

Patients who are notified that they have dense breasts were advised to speak with their physicians about their individual breast cancer risk and devise a screening strategy.

The FDA hopes that its nationwide requirement to notify patients regarding their dense breast status can help enhance mammography reports, better inform patients about additional screening options and detect breast cancer at earlier stages.

Read more: CNN

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